Cacao’s Artisan Chocolate co-owners David Vagasky and Mark Gray are masters of the art and science of candy making—particularly when it comes to their popular chocolate sea-salt caramels. “And this recipe really is a science,” says Vagasky, noting that the chocolate must be heated to an exact degree, then tempered, or cooled on a flat surface to allow molecular realignment. Here, the chocolatiers share their method for crafting the candies. It’s a bit of a process, which makes the finished product a particularly sweet holiday gift

Some folks bulk up their dressing with white bread or sausage, but not Louis Yuhasz. The founder of health-driven nonprofit Louie’s Kids focuses on incorporating nutritious ingredients such as sugar-free, whole-grain corn bread. “Dressing is heavy, so I’d advise skipping it altogether,” Yuhasz notes. “But if you choose to indulge, look for a recipe like this one that has no added sugar and contains fiber.”

Should you sip white or red with a Thanksgiving feast? According to Bill Netherland, sommelier and wine director for Cypress, Blossom, and Magnolias, the body of the wine is more important than its color. “With turkey, I go for a bright, juicy profile with crisp acidity,” he says. “It could range from pinot gris to Beaujolais.” Here, his picks for every budget